Exploring Purdue's bowl options

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue celebrates with his teammates after rushing for a touchdown at 12:08 in the first quarter agianst Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)Buy Photo

Look for Purdue to land in one of those locations for the program’s first bowl game since 2012. Five years ago, the Boilermakers played in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, losing to Oklahoma State.

A lot has changed in how the Big Ten and its bowl partners select teams. There’s the College Football Playoff and the New Year’s Six now in play.

Keep in mind the setup prevents Big Ten teams returning to the same bowl in consecutive years. Northwestern played in the Pinstripe Bowl last season and wouldn’t make a repeat trip.

After Saturday’s 31-24 victory over Indiana, the Boilermakers are headed to a bowl game but where?

FOSTER FARMS

Location: Santa Clara, Calif.

Date: Dec. 27

Time: 8:30 p.m.

TV: FOX

Opponent: Pac-12

Probably the landing spot, depending on how the top of the conference shakes out in the College Football Playoff and the New Year’s Six.

The league is expected to have eight bowl-eligible programs and Purdue would be the only 6-6 team in the mix. If a combined three Big Ten teams make the CFP and the New Year’s Six, Foster Farms would have the final selection.

QUICK LANE

Location: Detroit

Date: Dec. 26

Time: 5:15 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Opponent: ACC/TBA

Detroit comes into play if the Big Ten sends a combined two teams to the CFP and the New Year’s Six or if the league has nine bowl-eligible teams.

One of the longshot locations but not out completely out of the question. Iowa’s win over Nebraska on Friday probably elevates the Hawkeyes past the Boilermakers, despite the win last week in Iowa City.

MUSIC CITY

Location: Nashville

Date: Dec. 29

Time: 4:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Opponent: SEC

The Nashville-based bowl has the first pick of the three aforementioned sites and will have more attractive candidates with better records than Purdue’s six-win team. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen but a lot depends on where the league’s top teams end up.